Linotype-machine.



PATENTBD JULY 5, 1904.

-D. S. KENNEDY.

LINOTYPE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAB 5 1904 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

' wane/Mao No. 764,133- PATENTED JULY 5, 19 04.

- D. S. KENNEDY.

LINOTYPE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED HA3. 5. 1904 UNITED STATES DAVID S. KENNEDY, OF BROOKLYN,

Patented July 5, 1904 NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO MERGEN- THALER LINOTYPE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

LlNOTYPE-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 764,133, dated July 5, 1904.

Application filed March 5, 1904.

To all whmn it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID S. KENNEDY, of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Linotype-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to the Morgenthaler linotype and kindred machines, wherein individual matrices are separated one at a time from the end of a composed line for transference to the distributing mechanism.

In the commercial Mergenthaler machine the composed line of matrices is lifted bodily from the casting mechanism and thereafter urged endwise horizontally toward a vertically-reciprocating finger, which pushes the end matrices one after another from the line upward between feed-screws, whereby the matrices are carried forward horizontally and the distributing-teeth in their upper ends caused to engage corresponding teeth on the lower edge of the distributing bar, along which the matrices are carried in suspension until they arrive over their appropriate channels in the magazine. The line is urged constantly forward by a spring-pressure device toward stop-shoulders adjacent to the liftingfinger, so that as each matrix is lifted from the line the latter will advance and cause the next matrix to assume the position vacated by its predecessor. In machines as heretofore constructed the lifting-dog continues its upward-and-downwar d movement, although there may be no matrices present and although the matrices present may be relieved from the necessary forward pressure. The result is an unnecessary wear and noise of the running parts and an occasional partial lifting of the matrix with resultant stoppage or injury of the parts.

The aim of my invention is to automatically arrest the action of the lifting device whenever the matrices in the line have all been lifted or whenever the matrices present are relieved from the forward pressure necessary to keep the lifting device in engagement. To this end I make the action of the lifting device dependent on the presence of. the matrix in proper relation thereto, preferably by combining with the lifting device a Serial No. 196.653. (No model.)

lock or detent by which it is held fast until disengaged by the presentation of the matrix against it. I have illustrated herein the lifting device in a very simple form, found to answer an excellent purpose in practice; but it will be understood that the, parts may be varied in form and arrangement at will, provided only they retain a mode of action essentially such as above referredto.

In the drawings I have shown myimprovement as applied to the commercial Mergenthaler linotype-machine represented in Letters Patent of the United States No. 557,000 and other patents of more recent date.

Figure 1 represents a side elevation, partly in section, of my'improved mechanism, the lifter being in operative position. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the lifting device locked out of action. Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3 3 of'the preceding figures.

Referring to the drawings, A A represent the matrices, constructed, as usual, with a toothed V-sha-ped notch in the upper end and teeth therein to engage the horizontal distributer-bar B, having on its lower edge long distributing-teeth permuted or varied in arrangement at difierent points in the length of the bar, as usual, so that the matrices suspended therefrom and having their teeth permuted to correspond will be released at different points and permitted to fall into the respective channels in the magazine, as in the ordinary Mergenthaler machine.

C represents the stationarybox or guide, commonly known as the distributer-box, into which the composed line of matrices is advanced endwise by means of a reciprocating pressure-slide D, urged forward by a spring. The pressure-slide D is from time to time retracted in order to permit the introduction of another line of matrices before it. The line of matrices moves forward until it is arrested by the foremost matrix coming in contact with vertical shoulders on fixed side rails E. As the matrices are removed one at a time from the forward end of the line the latter moves forward step by step.

F represents a vertically-reciprocating lift ing-finger having at its upper end a transverse lip or shoulder adaptedto engage beneath the foremost matrix for the purpose of pushing the same upward. The efiect of lifting the matrix is to disengage it from the stop-shoulders on the side rails and also to carry it between the threads of horizontal feed-screws G, by which the matrices are carried forward horizontally. The lifted matrix is temporarily suspended by its upper shoulders riding on the inclined ends of the rails E. As each matrix moves forward suspended by the rails its teeth engage themselves on the distributer-bar, by which the matrices are suspended as they advance in succession until they arrive over their corresponding channels in the magazine. The instant that each matrix is engaged by the screws and supported by the rails the lifting-finger F descends to engage the next matrix, which has in the meantime been carried against the stop-shoulders by the advance of the line. The foregoing actions are all as in the ordinary machine.

The lifting-finger F is carried, as usual, by the pivot in one end of a lever H, mounted on horizontal pivot I. The rear upturned end of the lever H is urged in one direction by a cam J and in the opposite direction by a spring K, the cam serving to raise the lifting-finger F, while the spring serves to effect its depression. A spring L, connecting the lever H with the finger F, draws the upper end of the latter forward toward the advancing matrix, so that when the finger descends its upper shouldered end will engage beneath the matrix. As the finger rises with the matrix its upper end is carried forward with the matrix as the latter is advanced toward the distributer bar. This permits the matrixline to advance while the finger is rising, so that the next matrix in the line will encounter the stop-shoulders. In the machine as heretofore constructed there was no provision for controlling the stopping and starting of the finger F. It continued to move upward and downward regardless of the presence of matrices. Although the entire line of matrices may have been lifted, the finger would continue its action before others were presented. Sometimes one or two matrices would remain adjacent to the finger while the pusher-slide D was withdrawn, and such matrices, freed from pressure, would be improperly engaged and after being partly lifted would escape from the finger and fall into such position as to interrupt the action of the parts or endanger the mutilation of its ears by the feedscrews. To overcome this difiiculty, I provide the lifting-finger with a lip or shoulder M on the side toward which the matrices advance, and I provide in the box a fixed shoulsively and in the ordinary manner. When, however, the matrices have all been lifted or when they have been relieved from pressure of the follower D, the spring L will draw the finger to the right, and when it rises its lipM will override and engage the shoulder N, thus locking the finger in an elevated and inoperative position, as shown in Fig. 2. It willremain at rest in this position until the next matrix-line is advanced into the box or guide G, when the forward pressure of the foremost matrix against the finger will disengage the lip M and permit it to resume its action. It will be observed that when the finger is locked in its elevated position the operating-cam is relieved fromlabor and wear and the parts are noiseless.

As previously pointed out, the details of the stopping or tripping devices are not of the essence of my invention. Any similar contrivance or arrangement of parts under which the pressure or the presence of matrices to be lifted will control the devices for lifting them will fall within the scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a linotype-machine, means for pushing the composed line of matrices endwise, a carrier acting transversely across the end of the line to remove the matrices one ata time, and a locking device for the carrier arranged to be thrown out of action by the advancing 2. In a linotype-machine, the reciprocating matrix-lifting finger, means for actuating the same, means for locking the parts out of action, said locking devices controlled by the matrices. 3. In a linotype-maehine, a matrix-lifting finger, an actuating-lever pivotally connected thereto, the spring tending to cause the engagement of the finger with the matrices, a locking device to prevent the action of the finger when there are no matrices present, and means for advancing the matrices toward the finger to cause the disengagement of the locking devices.

4:. In a linotype-machine, mechanism for re moving the matrices successively from the end of acomposed line, in combination with means to prevent the action of the parts in the absence of matrices.

5. In a linotype-machine, the lifting-finger, the actuating-lever jointed thereto, the cam and. spring for actuating the lever, and alocking device cooperating with the finger to hold the parts out of action in the absence of matrices.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this 24cth day of February, 1904:, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

DAVID S. KENNEDY.

Witnesses:

JOHN R. Roenns, CHARLEs H. BULKLEY. 

